American History Lesson 2: Christopher Colombus

Question: What motivated Colombus on his voyage of exploration?

A key motivation for Colombus's voyage of exploration may have been to gain wealth and political power for himself. This is the correct answer on the site, and very believable, but another answer may be that he wished to convert the natives that he would meet.

A letter was given to Colombus by the King and Queen of Spain saying that they would reward him with the right to be the governor over the land that he conquered.

American History Lesson 1: Pre-Columbian Era

The Iroquois Confederacy brought five nations together to form an alliance. These nations were the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas. This alliance was governed by a covenant known as the Great Law of Peace.

Question: Can you identify any features of the Great Law that layout a structure for government?

Yes I can identify a few features of government in the Great Law. The Mohawk Lords were the heads and the leaders of the Five Nations Confederacy. No council of the Confederate Lords was legal unless all the Mohawk Lords were present.

All the business of the Five Nations Confederate Council was conducted by two combined bodies of Confederate Lords. First the question was passed upon by the Mohawk and Seneca Lords, then it was discussed and passed by the Oneida and Cayuga Lords. Their decisions were then referred to the Onondaga Lords, for final judgement.